San Francisco bonsai?

[TomB]

I’m going to be in San Francisco for a couple of days in November (work). I was wondering if there was anything bonsai-related I should check out. I already know about the bonsai garden at Lake Merritt, so that is on the list.
I won’t have time to visit any nurseries/clubs etc, but are there any shops or whatever in the central area I should check out in any spare time? I’m going to be based near Union Square.
Thanks in advance for any pointers.

 

[pandacular]

Just to let you know, i went to Lake Merritt this weekend and it was closed

It seems worth it from the view through the windows, and Oakland is a great city, but I’d check to ensure that they’ll be open when you plan to visit.

 

[Hartinez]

Hey @TomB . I would try and get ahold of @Eric Schrader or even Jonsa Dupuich. They are def the two most well known and talented artists I know of in the area. I imagine also, if visiting there gardens is not possible they will be able to steer you in the right direction.

 

[TomB]

Just to let you know, i went to Lake Merritt this weekend and it was closed

It seems worth it from the view through the windows, and Oakland is a great city, but I’d check to ensure that they’ll be open when you plan to visit.

Will do, thanks. Shame you didn’t get in.

 

[Hartinez]

On a separate note. I was going to reach out to you and @BobbyLane here at some point. I will be in the UK next summer for about 2 weeks. I’m going to work on putting together a little bonsai tour of sorts and figured I’d tap into your guys knowledge. I’ll be in The Marsh, Carlton, Bedford, UK. We can cross that bridge another day though!

 

[Scrogdor]

I live walking distance to Lake Merritt Bonsai Garden. Great place with a bunch of cool trees. Just make sure you check their schedule before you go. Don't leave anything in your car, not the trunk, glove box, or anywhere. Lake merritt area is the nicer part of Oakland, but it's no stranger to high-volume car break-ins. Not to scare you, just be aware.

 

[rockm]

I’m going to be in San Francisco for a couple of days in November (work). I was wondering if there was anything bonsai-related I should check out. I already know about the bonsai garden at Lake Merritt, so that is on the list.
I won’t have time to visit any nurseries/clubs etc, but are there any shops or whatever in the central area I should check out in any spare time? I’m going to be based near Union Square.
Thanks in advance for any pointers.

Posted the below on another thread, but if you're at Union Square, Japantown is a quick Uber away.

I used to go down to Japantown in S.F. when I was out that way on business. Interesting just to look around, but came across some decent bonsai stuff occasionally. Soko Hardware for instance carried decent Tokoname bonsai pots and bonsai tools, Kinokuniya Book Store had Japanese bonsai books as well. There is a "mallsai-ish" bonsai store there too, Katsura Gardens. Not really worth a special trip, but if you're in downtown S.F. worth stopping in.

 

[TomB]

Thanks - very useful to know.

 

[TomB]

On a separate note. I was going to reach out to you and @BobbyLane here at some point. I will be in the UK next summer for about 2 weeks. I’m going to work on putting together a little bonsai tour of sorts and figured I’d tap into your guys knowledge. I’ll be in The Marsh, Carlton, Bedford, UK. We can cross that bridge another day though!

The place most likely to be of interest is Corin's nursery (Nottingham) - https://www.bonsai.co.uk/ . Have a look at the UKBA events calendar https://www.ukbonsaiassoc.org/event-calendar.html to see if there are any shows on while you are here, though over the summer they are mainly small local shows - the 'big' ones are Expo, Heathrow, Swindon and Bonsai Show Live next year. Wirral in August is small but will have good quality displays.